Daniel Melnick Research by SuperAGI

Executive Overview

Daniel Melnick is the CEO and co-owner of Sonicbids, a leading electronic press kit (EPK) and live music opportunities platform for independent musicians, now under the ownership of his company, Advance Music Technologies. Over more than 17 years, Melnick has established himself as an experienced music entrepreneur, operator, and educator in the U.S. music industry, with an in-depth focus on live music promotion, digital business transformation, and artist enablement.

Current Role and Company Impact

CEO and General Manager, Sonicbids

Tenure: Over seven years in senior leadership, ascending from partnerships and general management to CEO and co-owner in 2024.

Acquisition Leadership: Instrumental in Sonicbids’ 2024 acquisition from Backstage/Cast and Crew, shifting the company to new ownership under Advance Music Technologies.

Strategic Focus:

Overseeing all growth strategies, digital modernization, and partnership initiatives.

Responsible for developing an upgraded technological infrastructure; a major platform facelift and MVP launch are planned within the next 4-6 weeks (mid-2024).

Expanding relationships with venues, festivals, and technology partners (notably with SongTools).

Product Positioning: Sonicbids functions as a "LinkedIn Premium for musicians," providing vetted opportunities, curated directories (1,500+ yearly opportunities), and digital career tools. The platform maintains strong U.S. and Canadian market penetration, focusing on "tentpole" venues and independent festivals.

Mission: Modernize opportunity access and EPK services for artists facing market consolidation and diminished local venue availability, with a strong emphasis on community-building, creative branding, and digital-first strategies.

Professional Background

Entrepreneurial & Agency Experience

TurnStyle Music Group (Founder & CEO):

Established and scaled a multi-city live music agency across NYC, Boston, San Francisco, Long Island, and Philadelphia.

Oversaw production of 1,200+ live events; built a team supporting thousands of acts across 150 venues and 15 bookers.

Drove significant brand partnerships, including multi-year sponsorship series with MillerCoors and Anheuser-Busch, generating consistent revenue streams and high-impact branded concerts.

Recognized for operational excellence in partnership execution and business development.

Musician and Content Creator

Performer with the band Buy The Sky.

Contributor to the Sonicbids Blog, offering music industry insights, gig advice, and innovation commentary.

Academic & Industry Thought Leadership

Teaching and Mentoring:

Faculty and curriculum developer at Roc Nation School of Music & Sports (LIU Brooklyn) and adjunct faculty at NYU Steinhardt, instructing courses on Concert Management and Concert Promotion.

Frequent conference panelist and guest lecturer, emphasizing the realities of live music economics, fan development, and digital transformation.

Content Development: Active in community and industry education via podcasts and blogs, translating live industry challenges into actionable recommendations for artists and stakeholders.

Recent Company Activities/Financial Events

2024 Acquisition:

Sonicbids acquired from Backstage/Cast and Crew; all details undisclosed but positioned as a significant strategic shift to independent ownership under Advance Music Technologies.

New phase marked by renewed investment in platform modernization and partnerships.

Growth Initiatives:

Strategic partnership integrations (e.g., with Songtools).

Technology roadmap poised to launch new MVP within months, delivering a "complete, amazing facelift" that aims to reassert Sonicbids’ leadership in digital artist services.

Plans to expand curated, vetted opportunities in major U.S. and Canadian markets, and to leverage AI for enhanced matching and opportunity recommendation tools for artists.

Industry Analysis and Strategic Insight

Market Positioning:

Sonicbids remains a core brand in EPK and gig search, competing with Bandzoogle, Chartmetric, and newer platforms, but leverages its legacy, scale, and curated U.S. focus as differentiators.

Melnick recognizes industry shifts, such as venue consolidation by Live Nation/AEG and the diminishing availability of independent gig spaces. Company strategy targets both traditional venues and non-conventional gig locations (bars, breweries, festivals, vacation spots).

Technological Direction:

Clear emphasis on integrating AI-assisted tools for opportunity curation and artist support.

Envisions platform improvements that will streamline artists' digital presence and live booking potential.

Philosophy on Artist Development:

Advocates a business-first, data-driven approach for musicians, urging focus on brand-building, content creation, and digital marketing over sole artistic output.

Stresses the necessity of persistent, realistic work ethic and community-building (both online and IRL), reflecting his own operational style and teaching.

Emphasizes that live experience remains irreplaceable and central to the music business, with digital and AI seen as augmentation tools rather than replacements for the core human creative process.

Education & Credentials

Bachelor of Arts in Communications (Minor: Music Studies), Quinnipiac University.

Active involvement in music industry education (NYU, LIU Brooklyn).

Additional Professional Highlights

Brand Collaborations: Experience stewarding high-value sponsorship deals.

Volunteer & Community Engagement: Engaged in volunteering, sports coaching, and community programs — demonstrating a people-centered, networking-driven approach.

Professional Network: Well-connected within music, venue, and artist services communities, accessible via [LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-melnick-43b8b41a).

Actionable Insights

Decision Maker: As CEO and co-owner, Melnick is the final decision maker on all Sonicbids strategic, product, partnership, and purchasing choices.

Open to Partnerships: Actively seeking innovative enablement, marketing, sponsorship, or technology alliances — especially those that support independent artists or drive platform engagement.

Focus on Value Creation: Any outreach aligning with digital transformation, AI in music, artist brand-building, or expansion of live music opportunities is likely to align with both his operational priorities and personal philosophy.

Profile Links and Contact: